M. LE COMTE DE LACEPEDE. 29 



Lacepede conducted the multifarious affairs in 

 which he was engaged with a facility and rapidity 

 which astonished all who were cognizant of it. For 

 him one or two hours were sufficient to determine 

 every thing, and with a most intimate knowledge 

 of all the circumstances. This amazing rapidity 

 surprised even Napoleon, who himself was much 

 celebrated for despatch of business. One day this 

 great man asked him, by what secret he did so 

 much? to which the other replied, u I use the 

 method employed by naturalists ;" an answer, which 

 under the appearance of pleasantry contains much 

 truth. 



Another circumstance which much struck his im- 

 perial master, and which he but rarely witnessed, was 

 the extreme disinterestedness of Lacepede. This 

 servant of the public would at first receive no salary ; 

 but, as his benevolence kept pace with his disin- 

 terestedness, his patrimony was soon exhausted, and 

 much debt was contracted, which there was no pros- 

 pect of his being able to pay. Under these circum- 

 stances, the head of the government insisted upon 

 his taking a regular salary, and ordered that all his 

 arrears should also be paid up. The sole advantage 

 which he derived from this act of kindness and 

 justice, was, that it enabled him to increase his 

 donations. He considered himself accountable to 

 the public for all* that he received ; and, as he 

 every day had occasion to see poor legionaries, and 

 many of their widows, without any means of sub- 

 sistence, he had ever before him those who were 



